Paterson, NJ to Runnemede, NJ is 97.3 miles and takes about 2 hours 3 minutes via New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway Southbound, with a fuel budget near $17 and enough daylight to finish in a day. This trip stays within New Jersey, traversing the Northeast region. Expect a straightforward drive primarily on major highways, making it a convenient option for a single-day trip. The route is efficient for getting from one point in NJ to another without significant detours.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is realistic if you keep stops short.
Midpoint
48.7 miles from Paterson, NJ
A natural place for your longest stop of the day
, about 1h 5m into the drive
.
Main Roads
Road
Distance
Duration
New Jersey Turnpike
64.4 mi
1h 14m
Garden State Parkway
23.8 mi
33m
Garden State Parkway Southbound
2.3 mi
3m
NJ 19
2 mi
2m
Black Horse Pike
0.9 mi
2m
East Clements Bridge Road
0.3 mi
<1m
Exit 129
0.3 mi
<1m
Ward Street
0.3 mi
<1m
Longest stretch:
New Jersey Turnpike
— 64.4 mi, about 1h 14m
Turn-by-Turn Driving Directions
Step-by-step road directions between Paterson, NJ and Runnemede, NJ.
1
Start on Colt Street
216 ft·17 sec·Colt Street
2
Turn right onto Ellison Street
0.2 mi·28 sec·Ellison Street
3
Turn right onto Memorial Drive
0.1 mi·14 sec·Memorial Drive
Use the right lane.
4
Turn right
267 ft·9 sec
5
Turn straight onto Ward Street
0.3 mi·34 sec·Ward Street
Use the straight / right lanes.
6
Continue on NJ 19
0.2 mi·17 sec·Oliver Street
7
Turn slight left onto NJ 19
2.0 mi·2 min·NJ 19
Use the slight left lane.
8
Take the exit
0.5 mi·1 min
Toward GSP SouthUse the slight left lane.
9
Merge onto GSP
24 mi·33 min·Garden State Parkway
Use the straight / slight left lanes.
10
Continue on Garden State Parkway
2.3 mi·3 min·Garden State Parkway Southbound
11
Take the exit onto Exit 129
0.3 mi·42 sec·Exit 129
Exit 129Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth AmboyUse the slight right lane.
12
Keep slight left at fork
0.5 mi·57 sec
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, PhiladelphiaUse the slight left lane.
13
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
14
Keep slight left at fork
0.2 mi·23 sec
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: TrentonUse the slight left lane.
15
Keep slight left at fork
0.4 mi·56 sec
Use the slight left lane.
16
Merge onto I 95; NJTP
39 mi·45 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Use the straight / slight right lanes.
17
Keep slight left at fork onto NJTP
25 mi·29 min·New Jersey Turnpike
Toward NJTP South: Camden, Wilmington
18
Take the exit
0.4 mi·41 sec
Exit 3Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City ExpresswayUse the slight right lane.
19
Keep slight left at fork
0.3 mi·40 sec
Toward NJ 168 South: Woodbury, Atlantic CityUse the slight left / slight right lanes.
20
Turn straight onto NJ 168
0.9 mi·2 min·Black Horse Pike
Use the straight / right lanes.
21
Turn left onto NJ 41; CR 573
0.3 mi·47 sec·East Clements Bridge Road
Use the left lane.
22
Turn right
50 ft·3 sec
23
Arrive at destination
Trip Plan
For this 2-hour drive, leaving mid-morning on a weekday can help you avoid the heaviest commuter traffic. Since it's a single-day trip under 100 miles, you have flexibility and don't necessarily need to plan for stops, though a quick break is always an option. Keep an eye on your fuel, as the estimated cost is $17. Given the direct highway nature, the most practical tip is to ensure your GPS is set to avoid tolls if you're looking to save money beyond fuel costs, though this route heavily relies on toll roads.
Morning Departure
Leave by 9 AM and you'll arrive before lunch.
Evening Departure
Even a 4 PM departure gets you there before dark in summer.
You can normally do this drive in one day.
You may only need one short stretch break if traffic stays light.
The halfway point lands around 48.7 miles from Paterson, NJ, or about 1h 5m into the drive.
The longest continuous stretch on this route runs about 64.4 miles.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 21 miles or 29m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 48.7 miles or 1h 5m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 1h 41m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Runnemede, NJ than in the middle of the route.
Before You Leave
+
Open the route before leaving Paterson, NJ so your first major turns are already loaded.
+
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
+
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Paterson, NJ
This is one driving day of about 97.3 miles and 2h 3m.
Your first comfortable stop window is around 21 miles from Paterson, NJ.
This route can stay practical as a one-day drive if traffic stays reasonable.
The longest stretch is on New Jersey Turnpike for about 64.4 miles.
Where to Stop
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Place data sourced from public business listings. Hours and availability may vary.
Heads-up: tricky spots
5 of 19
5 decision points cluster between mile 29.4 and 95.8 — GPS handles the exact turns, but know they're coming. Your lane choice matters more than the turn itself.
8
29.4 mi into trip|~41m in|Exit 129
Take the exit onto Exit 129 toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New York City, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 129
Toward I 95, NJTP, US 9, NJ 440, I 287: New Yor...
8
29.8 mi into trip|~42m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95, NJTP: New York City, Philadelphia
9
30.4 mi into trip|~43m in
Keep slight left at fork toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left lane.
Toward I 95 South, NJTP South: Trenton
8
95.4 mi into trip|~1h 59m in
Take the exit toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight right lane.
Exit 3
Toward NJ 168: Camden, Atlantic City Expressway
8
95.8 mi into trip|~2h in
Keep slight left at fork toward NJ 168 South: Woodbury, Atlantic City
Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one
Use the slight left / slight right lanes.
Toward NJ 168 South: Woodbury, Atlantic City
Fuel & Cost
Regular Gas
$17.21 one way
$34.42 round trip
$4.49/gal25.4 MPG avg34 kg CO2
Fuel Type
$/gal
One Way
Round Trip
midgrade
$4.92
$18.85
$37.69
premium
$5.24
$20.09
$40.18
diesel
$5.35
$20.49
$40.99
Estimated Tolls: $10.58
New Jersey Turnpike
(64.4 mi)$9.01
Garden State Parkway
(26.1 mi)$1.57
Toll estimates based on average 2024-2025 rates. EZ-Pass/SunPass discounts may lower the actual cost.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$17
Tolls
$11
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$53–$78
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 34 kg one way.
Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-06-01.
Driving Electric?
About $10 in charging
· 0 stops
· 68% less CO2
Vehicle Type
kWh
Stops
DC Fast
Home Charge
Average EV
29.2
0
$10.22
$4.67
Efficient EV
24.3
0
$8.51
$3.89
EV Truck/SUV
38.9
0
$13.62
$6.23
Gas CO2
34 kg
EV CO2
11 kg (68% less)
This trip is well within single-charge range for most EVs. No charging stops needed if you start fully charged.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive.
Forecast as of Jun 1, 2026
Origin
Paterson, NJ
Afternoon
in Paterson on Wednesday
Local time
3:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
58°F
Mostly Cloudy
N 1 mph10% chanceLive forecast
Destination
Runnemede, NJ
Afternoon
in Runnemede on Wednesday
Local time
3:52 PM
EDT
Current temp
57°F
Partly Cloudy
NW 5 mph0% chanceLive forecast
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Same local time
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
1 degrees cooler at arrival
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
2h 3m on the road
The weather snapshot is not static. If you are leaving later, give both cities one more quick forecast check before departure.
Weather data from the National Weather Service. Conditions may change; check closer to your travel date.
National Parks Near This Route
Worth a detour if your schedule allows.
Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
National Historical Park
Silk cloth and steam locomotives; textiles and continuous paper rolls; firearms and aircraft engines. What do these things have in common? All were manufactured in the same place - Paterson, NJ. In 17...
0 mi from route
~1 min detour
Free
Caution: Limited Amphitheater Accessibility
Caution: Overlook Park Parking Lot - Vehicles Must Be Parked in a Designated Spot
Today, the brick buildings on Main Street in West Orange, NJ seem quiet, betraying little evidence of the research, development, and innovation of their heyday. Visitors can step back in time to Thoma...
Morristown National Historical Park commemorates the sites of General Washington and the Continental Army’s winter encampment from December 1779 to June 1780, where soldiers survived the coldest winte...
15 mi from route
~37 min detour
Free
near mile 20.1
Spanning 27,000 acres from Sandy Hook in New Jersey to Breezy Point in New York City, the park is both the gateway from the ocean into New York Harbor, and the gateway to the National Park Service for...
20 mi from route
~49 min detour
Free
near mile 16.8
Park data from the National Park Service API. Alerts update every 2 hours.
More Details
What kind of drive is this?
This drive is almost entirely highway, with 95% of the 97.3 miles on major roadways. You'll experience a significant stretch of 64.4 miles on the New Jersey Turnpike. Expect frequent exits and entries as you navigate these busy thoroughfares. The transition from highway to surface roads will happen late in your drive.
95% highway — fuel and pacing are the main things to plan.
23 navigation steps total — most of the decisions cluster near the start and finish.
Longest single stretch: 64.4 mi on New Jersey Turnpike.
How Hard Is This Drive?
10/10
This is a straightforward highway drive that stays mostly on New Jersey Turnpike and Garden State Parkway. This route has several spots where lane changes, forks, or exits need your full attention. The trickiest moment comes around 29.4 miles in near Exit 129.
Driving Effort10/10
High effort - long or complex enough to need steady focus all day
Balances navigation complexity with total wheel time.
This is a demanding drive. With 19 significant decision points across 97.3 miles, you will need to stay alert - especially through interchange areas and urban stretches. Consider splitting it into segments if you are not comfortable with fast highway navigation.
Where does it get tricky?
The main spots that need attention: at 29.4 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Elevation Profile
Mostly flat terrain
166 ft44 ft
Total Climb
266 ft
Total Descent
236 ft
Highest Point
166 ft
~7 mi in
Elevation Range
122 ft
Towns Mentioned on Route Signs
Based on OSRM destination-sign hints, not a full list of every settlement the road passes.
Between Paterson, NJ and Runnemede, NJ, road signs point toward Njtp, Philadelphia, Woodbridge, Perth Amboy, Njtp: New York City and Njtp South: Trenton - among others.
For the township in the Hunter region of New South Wales, see Paterson (New South Wales).
Paterson is New Jersey's third largest city (about 155,000 inhabitants as of 2022), and hosts a great attraction: the Great Falls, which are very extensive and second only to Niagara Falls in terms of volume of water in waterfalls east of the Mississippi. Paterson is 12 miles away from Manhattan. It is an ethnically diverse city that houses large Hispanic, Arab, Italian-American, African American and Bengali communities. South Paterson is home to one of the nation's largest Arab communities.
Top landmarks
•Great Falls — waterfalls on the Passaic River
•Passaic County Court House — courthouse in Paterson, New Jersey
•Lambert Castle — historic building in Paterson, New Jersey
Doable as a same-day drive at 2h 3m. Total distance: 97.3 miles.
Family Friendly
Moderate complexity with 0 natural rest stops along the way.
Solo Traveler
2h 3m drive, comfortable solo distance.
First-Time Driver
Mostly highway driving (95%). Some complex stretches to watch for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The longest stretch is about 64.4 miles on New Jersey Turnpike. The full list of main roads is in the Roads section above.
Expect about $10.58 in tolls one way, starting with New Jersey Turnpike. Most Northeast and Midwest toll agencies accept E-ZPass; in the West and Texas, transponders like TxTag or FasTrak apply. If you do not have a transponder, cashless tolling plates will mail a bill to the vehicle's registered address — usually with a surcharge, so a rental-car toll pass is often cheaper than paying by mail.
Yes — we found about 18 rest areas or service plazas within a short detour of the route (from OpenStreetMap). See the Rest Stops tab under Nearby Places for locations and mile markers. Plan to stretch, use the bathroom, and top off fluids every 2–3 hours on longer drives.
It helps. This route has a higher-than-average number of complex decision points, which get harder in the dark. If the last hour of the trip is on surface roads or mountain grades, aim to arrive at Runnemede, NJ before sunset when you can. Check the Trip Plan for departure windows that land you in daylight.
Only with planning. This is a long drive for kids — consider splitting it into two days rather than pushing through. There are 18 rest areas along the route for bathroom stops.
The main spots that need attention: at 29.4 miles (Exit 129): Exit ramp - move to the correct lane early. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 29.8 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one; at 30.4 miles: Highway fork - watch signs carefully. Lane positioning matters here. Multiple destination signs - pick the right one.
Yes — Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park, Thomas Edison National Historical Park and Morristown National Historical Park (4 total within detour distance). See the National Parks section for detour distances and tips on detours.
Yes. A round trip is manageable in a single day if you plan a break at Runnemede, NJ before heading back.
